Coach's Corner Archives
Updated: 09/01/2005
03/01/05 -
The Spring Season is upon us and we are off to a flying start with three sessions under our belt. New faces are always welcome – Craig, Dave, Hill and Cody will bolster our squad that sees a few changes from the Fall.
Joe Blair has moved on, presumably to “meet more men”, but has left us with his protégé younger brother who has become somewhat of an entertainer both on and off the field. Joe – we all wish you well. It is with regret that we will also be without one of our front row stalwarts on a temporary basis. Rick Cole aims to be available for selection by April 16th.
Finally, one of our fast developing Rookies - Kyle “Cocks” Evans - has gone off to Fort Bragg to fight a far worthier cause than our efforts to reach the play-offs. Again Kyle, you have our best wishes and thanks for your efforts last Fall.
In addition to the new faces there is talk of more new recruits plus the welcome return from injury of TK, VIP and Scud. The first two give us increased options in the back three, and Scud returns to bolster our front row options. The first foot race between Tommy and the young upstart Aaron Roth is eagerly awaited by all.
Incredibly, it has been a full year since I “volunteered” to take over coaching. In that time we have won more games than we have lost, came perilously close to making the play-offs and I believe we continue to build week-to-week upon the excellent platform laid by previous coaches; POD and Joe Barauskas.
Pre-season training is critical. The focus will once again be on ball-in hand drills, decision making and our game plan. Fitness remains a personal responsibility – the sessions will be demanding, but with only one session per week the focus remains skills. Get in the gym, run, do whatever, but make a decision to train outside of rugby club sessions. If we look back over the past year our fitness has been comparable to most sides we have met. Increasing this level by 10% would see us through a great many of the close games. Many of our big ones in the fall (West Pot, North Bay & Happy Valley) were either clinched or within reach approaching the last 20 minutes. Fitness will push us over the edge to compete to the final whistle or win these more comfortably.
We will continue with Saturday morning for the time being (9:15 start – arrive at 9 am). The week before our first game we will add a Wednesday evening session.
To ensure Coaching continuity - Sean Stevens has been appointed Assistant Coach. Sean and I will split time between coaching backs and forward drills and he will cover in the event that I am on travel.
Selection will be based upon the same criteria as last season; factors such as attendance at training, ability, previous weeks performance, payment of dues and game plan will all influence selection. Selection committee will comprise the Coaching Staff and Captain.
I am pleased to announce the Dr. Michael Powers will continue as Club Captain.
Our discipline was applauded by a number of referees during the course of last season. We must aim to repeat and build upon this achievement. Our style of play is physical, characterized by a team mentality to never take a backward step. This makes our ability to remain within the rules of the game even more important. It is to the credit of certain referees in our league that they know enough about the game to see beyond our “in your face” attitude and appreciate the fact that we play within the laws. We must all learn the difference between “shoeing” and stamping, the difference between a big hit and an illegal hit and the difference between scatter rucking and going over the top of a breakdown to kill the ball. Rugby is about fine lines – we know which side we need to be…….
If I make a decision that you are unhappy with please tell me. I welcome constructive criticism between drills or before and after training. During training, please help out the new guys but be aware that at times we need one voice in order for everyone to benefit. 9 times out of 10 that voice will be Sean’s Mike’s or mine. Please do not take it personally if we cut you off during sessions – we will always listen to new ideas or comments once the drill ends.
This list is not all encompassing, but it would be great to see some of you guys back available for selection even on a part time basis: Matt Stegmeier, Walt Del Gallo, Jason Fletcher, Claude Lawson, Barry Van Meter, Marty Shannon, Justin Peacock, Aaron Painter, Todd Korpella etc etc etc. Even if you can only make a few sessions or want to play in the odd B-game you would be very welcome.
Our squad is strong at the moment but we can never have too much competition for places
Once again, we will look at mixing things up with the goal of finding the best balance to suit our style of play. Last season both Paul Hyde and Sean Stevens starred after positional moves. I ask once again that you bear with some changes – hopefully it will all make sense when we produce another winning season. The more flexible you can be in terms of the position you play, the easier my job becomes. Guys like Thad, Donnie Aros and Jeff Crawford who have all played 3 or 4 positions mean that we can accommodate for injuries and unavailability without changing the game plan. If there is a new position in the team you would like to learn to play – let me know. But before you ask (Jason C, Richard & Scud) – no we do not need any more wingers!
Here’s to a great Spring season.
kc
Update 10/28/04 -
There were some positives to take from the North Bay defeat – great performances from some of our newer guys. Kyle defended excellently in both games and had the confidence to make some great offensive breaks in the B-game. Steve Blair also played well, looking as though he had been playing all his life, rather than only 5 or 6 weeks. Having Richard make his debut was also important – we can never have too may options in the front row. It’s great to have Donnie Aros back – he gives us lots of options as our utility back or forward. Sean’s two as well as Powers and Thad for a well worked blind side try were also highlights. Finally Rick Cole deserves a mention for a 100% record with the boot during the A-team game as does everyone who played in the B-team game to salvage at least one victory on the day.
As if we needed anymore motivation for the Happy Valley game, we must ensure that our new shirts end the season with a winning record. The old ones were 4 &1. The new ones are currently 0 & 1 with two games left. Sport is looking for a new curse given the World Series result last night. We do not want the curse of the Kudu shirt to take root. Two wins are a must to guarantee a play off spot – lets travel strong.
10/18/04 -
We have reached the break in our league campaign and it goes without saying that we would all have taken a record of 4 & 1 at the start of the season. We have had a few things go in our favor, but all in all it is a fair record of our performances. A forfeit win against PAC was a huge disappointment given the circumstances in which they beat us last season – rest assured that we will do everything possible to get them to Winchester during the Spring Season.
Beating Pax River showed exactly how far we have come. It was a pretty comprehensive win, made all the better by the fact that on another day it could have been much closer. Pax did not play well on the day, but equally you can only play as well as you are allowed to……..Particularly at home, they are a quality side.
The next two games will make or break the season. Last year during our inaugural league campaign we went 0 & 3 against Pax River, Happy Valley and North Bay. We are a much improved side from a year ago. A minimum of 2 from 3 is a must this time around. Quantico once again look to be the favorite for the title but we have a serious shot at second place.
The big thing is that we continue to improve each week. Numbers have also improved each week, this is extremely important. I would like to once again welcome the new guys, welcome back those who have returned and request that anyone reading this message board within a 50 mile radius of Winchester who would like to play gets in touch.
A few words about the contribution of certain individuals: off the field our new Captain, our President and the Committee continue to do a great job making sure we have good communication to the players, the best kept field in the league and a sponsors bar that looks after us well. As always Scud deserves a special mention for sticking by us despite injury….. Now if he could only get those shirts out of Chilean customs and excise.
On the field we are continually being congratulated for our physical play whilst at the same time picking up positive feedback from PRU Officials for our discipline. These factors in combination are the sign of a true Rugby Club.
We made many positional changes from last season and these players are to be congratulated. Paul Hyde volunteered to be back up hooker but his development has been such that it allowed Sean Stevens to step into the #9 shirt – both players have adapted well to the new roles. Joe Barauskas has added stability to the back row by converting to #8. That is “stability” mainly in terms of pace rather than in any mental capacity. Adam, Jason and Huck give us options of both power and pace at Center or Wing. And finally Joe Blair has recovered from injury and has since been promoted from Water boy to Man of the match – it is yet to be seen whether his younger / faster brother can unseat the old fox from his place on the wing.